This Product:

I have worn the same Gold Toe soft acrylic knit socks with cushioned soles for years and really liked them. When it was time to add a few more, I discovered that none of the department stores still carried them. Online research showed a disturbing picture. Reviews were in wide agreement that Gold Toe had moved production to China resulting in a dramatic drop in quality. Not wishing to risk poor socks, it was time to find a replacement – something surprisingly hard to do.

I first tried a couple pair of Wigwam acrylic crew socks. Nice but substantially heavier. I think they would be just too warm for summer use. Plus they look even less like dress socks.

I then found the Thorlo WGX 305 Socks on the Working Person’s Store website. They had the right description so I ordered a couple pair to try. They seem to have the correct balance of features: cushioned sole, very soft, and about the right amount of stretch. Subtly different but easily as comfortable as the old socks from Gold Toe. Nice enough that I stopped searching and ordered several more pair.

They are not cheap. Not all that expensive either, but more than the typical department store. I did not find a better source than Working Person's Store. In fact, they are not that common. The fact that I ordered more means I thought they were worth the premium price. Now the remaining big question is durability – ask me in a couple years.